Lingle, a Republican, has cited the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative as one of the most important policy achievements during her two terms. The initiative puts Hawaii on a path to derive 70 percent of its energy from renewable sources or efficiency by 2030.

Lingle has kept a low public profile since her lopsided loss to U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono last November.

The former governor is scheduled to give the keynote speech at the state GOP's Lincoln Day dinner on April 16.

“Governor Lingle brings to the council a unique perspective and wealth of experience in running a state whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, a sector which is severely impacted when oil prices rise,” Dr. Gal Luft, senior adviser to the United States Energy Security Council, said in a statement. “We are proud to have her on board."

3 Responses to “Energized”

Lingle still putting in her two cents in the Hawaii GOP! Rather than trying to get new blood and trying to find a better platform, the old haole run party is beating a dead horse again. Under Lingle, the GOP went from 22 legislators in 2000 to 7 left when she left office. Watching the Hawaii GOP is like the classic Monty Python's comedy sketch "The Upper Class Twit of the Year", the winners are all in coffins in the end.

The United States Energy Security Council appears to be yet another corporate, Republican think tank lobbying for particular special interests under the guise of public interest. It founder, former CIA director James Woolsey, is dismissive of "clean energy" alternatives, favoring instead natural gas through expanded use of "fracking." His second option is bio-fuels, particularly ethanol from corn.

Lingle needs a means to pad her resume to elevate her image as a "serious person." She also needs some visibility and cash flow while waiting on the shelf for another political office to open up to allow her another step on her life-long career as a professional politician. I take this "news story" as evidence her publicist is still sending out press releases, so maybe she is a "job creator" as well.